Roeder closes in on reinforcements

Glenn Roeder's exhaustive search for reinforcements is finally set to pay off with the Newcastle boss confident of landing "two or three" of his transfer targets by the start of next week.

Top of his list is Real Madrid midfielder Thomas Gravesen who is believed to have already discussed personal terms with Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd. And Roeder is also anxious to press home his interest in Inter Milan striker Obafemi Martins after a sluggish UEFA Cup win in Latvia underlined his need for a new frontman.

But despite early scares against Ventspils, Roeder has expressed much more confidence about his defence, insisting much-maligned match-winner Titus Bramble can be carefully nurtured into his next big star. Roeder said: "Titus without doubt needs to know he has got the support of his coach to give him the confidence to go out there and play well."

"I am always trying to make Titus conscious of the quality of his passing because sometimes it is not as good as it could be. It is sometimes a lack of concentration on his part," Roeder added.

"I believe he needs an experienced central defender who talks well to help him get through the game and concentrate. But overall I am happy with Titus' performances and he has not let anyone down."

Former Rangers veteran Craig Moore has stepped into the void vacated by the soon-to-depart Jean-Alain Boumsong and it could be his job for the season with no new central defenders on Roeder's agenda.

That is a major vote of confidence for Bramble, whose uncertain first-half performance had almost gifted the Latvian league leaders a shock opener with just five minutes on the clock.

That hardly augured well for the season ahead - especially given Roeder had called for the defensive blunders to be cut out after shipping six goals in their previous two pre-season games.

Roeder's only current defensive target is Chelsea full-back Wayne Bridge - but that prospective deal is stalled until the future of Arsenal defender Ashley Cole is confirmed.